Our goal is to improve the quality of programs and services for children and adults with visual impairments so that they can live a life with no limits.

We hope you will join us for the Achievement Awards, a black-tie gala established by AFB in 1994 to acknowledge Keller's extraordinary efforts and to promote the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for people with disabilities. The gala includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, and formal dinner. Past recipients include Stevie Wonder, Microsoft, Google, and JPMorgan Chase.

The AFB Leadership Conference was established in 1986 and aims to convene leaders in the field to share research and advocate for equal education and employment opportunities, as well as to address the needs of an aging population.

Who Are We?

The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, AFB is proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than 40 years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB.

Who Attends?

The AFBLC attracts the leaders of the field—those who are the influencers, as well as the decision-makers for their organizations. When you meet with participants at the Leadership Conference, you will be meeting with those who have the authority to make purchasing decisions for their organization, and the people who will promote your brand to the rest of the field.

Conference attendees include technology experts, corporate representatives, and university professors. They come from diverse organizations and institutions spanning the public and private sectors.

In 2018, over 400 attendees from over 40 states and four countries and territories joined us for informative sessions and exhibits, inspirational keynotes, and affirming award presentations.

Sessions and Events

We kicked off events in 2018 with the Helen Keller Achievement Awards. This event acknowledges Keller's extraordinary efforts and promotes the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved quality of life for people with disabilities.

Conference sessions were designed to meet the interests and educational needs of our diverse attendees. The 2018 agenda was packed with sessions on topics such as technology, education, employment, and aging, and featured a popular track on leadership sponsored by Hewlett- Packard Enterprise.

In addition to the sessions, we were pleased to present the Stephen Garff Marriott Award, the Corinne Kirchner Research Award, and the Migel Medal.

Executive Sponsorships

If you want to drive traffic, strengthen your brand, and help your organization stand out, these premium-level sponsorships will do just that. Each includes the following benefits:

Leadership Track Sponsor—$50,000 (Limit One—No longer available)

Be the sole sponsor of AFBLC's Leadership Track! This session series will feature high-profile speakers from across the country, speaking on the most pressing topics at the intersection of leadership and blindness issues.

Leadership Conference-Only Sponsorships

$10,000

Your logo and link on our conference sponsor webpage for one year OR your name and link on promotional emails

A full-page ad in the program AND your insert in registrant tote bags

$5,000

Two (2) complimentary conference registrations

Your organization's logo in the conference program

Your logo and link on our conference sponsor webpage for one year OR your name and link on promotional emails

A full-page ad in the program OR your insert in registrant tote bags

AFB Leadership Conference Ads

Every attendee receives the conference program in multiple formats. Reach an audience that has averaged 400+ attendees representing the leaders and decision makers in the blindness field with a program ad.

Full page (8.5 × 11)

Price: $600

Half page (8.5 × 5.5)

$300

(Add 50% per ad for color printing.)

All ads are due by January 18, 2019. Ads are printed in black and white unless color is requested (additional fee) and should be submitted as high-resolution (300 dpi) PDFs with no bleeds.

Additional Sponsorship Options

The items below may be purchased as standalone items or in addition to the packages above. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to create a custom sponsorship package.

Standalone

As an add-on to sponsorship

Presenting sponsor for VIP opening night reception

$20,000

$15,000

Session track sponsor

$20,000

$15,000

Coffee break sponsor

$15,000

$10,000

Wi-Fi for all attendees

$15,000

$10,000

Conference app sponsor

$10,000

$7,500

Badge sponsor [No longer available]

$5,000

$2,500

Tote bag sponsor

$5,000

$2,5000

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do you have sponsorship opportunities for non-profits?

A. Yes! Please contact us for sponsorship opportunities that will best fit your needs.

Q. What is the demo room?

A. The demo room allows companies to speak about and demonstrate products and services, survey attendees, or conduct focus groups. Sessions in these rooms will appear in the program and will be promoted in emails to registrants prior to the conference. Sponsors must provide speaker title, abstract, and session topic by deadline (all presentations require AFB approval).

Sponsors at the $75,000 and $50,000 levels have access to premium breakfast and lunch slots in the demo room. AFB will cover the costs of a continental breakfast or lunch for up to 30 participants.

Q. What is AccessWorld?

We are pleased to offer ads on emails sent to AccessWorld subscribers, which allows for better message and audience targeting. AccessWorld is AFB's monthly technology magazine, which publishes product reviews of assistive and mainstream technologies.